Aeroplane toy



April 12, 1932. ESLINGER 1,853,204

AEROPLANE ToY`\ Filed Feb. 23, 1929 Patented Apr. 12, v1932 Y Y {STA-rss JOHN ESLINGER, OF CHIC-AGO, LLINOIS AERQPLANE TOY K Application led February 23,1929. SerialI No. 341,992,

This invention relates to improvements in aeroplane toys and more particularlyto such toys arranged to he driven by electric motors.

The primary object of the invention is to 5f kprovide a novelv aeroplane toy which is driven from an external source of mechanical power such as an electric motor andpadapted to simulate closely the action of a commercial aeroplane while traveling in a fixed path.

Another object is 4to provide an aeroplane toy having a minature aeroplane mountedin such a. way that part of its weight is counterbalanced, together withdriving means capable of inducing alifting action sufficient to 15. 4overcome the -unbalanced weight of the aeroplane and to sustain vsuch weight while the driving means isin operation.

Still another object is to provide a toy aeroplane of the above character having 20 means by which its lifting power may be variedat will to change the elevation at which ther aeroplane flies under the power of its driving motor.

The invention also yaims to provide a novel g5 toy aeroplane adapted for longitudinal tilting Lwhile flying and having means for stabilizing such. action to maintain proper position of the plane.v

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a perspective view'of a toy embodying the features of the present invention.

2 is a side elevational view of an aeroplane o be used in the present toy. part ofthe plane being broken away to show certain of the parts in section.

Fig. v3 is a vertical sectional View through the driving and supporting mechanism for the aeroplane.

Figa-4 is a section taken alongthe line 4 4 of F ig. 3. n

Fig. 5 is a vfragmentary plan view of the aeroplane showing certain of the parts in section.

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken alongthe lriving shaft of the plane and' showing a modified form of mounting for the plane.

lWhile the invention is susceptible of various modifications and alternativeconstructions,1 have shown in the drawings and will herein describe in detail the preferred embodiment,kbut it is -to be understood that l do not thereby intendy to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but intend to cover all modifications and alternative constructions falling within Jthe spirit and 4scope of the invention as expressed in the appended' claims. n y l y The miniature aeroplane shown inV the drawings to illustrate the present invention is of the monoplane type and made of thin sheet metal with a hollow fuselage 8, a wing 9 and a vertical rudder 10 of any preferred form. Wheeled struts 11 at the front of the fuselage support theforward end thereof'in elevated position, as shown in FigzQ, when the plane is resting on a flat surface. By forming the parts of the plane of sheet aluminum aplane vbeveled gear 15 which meshes with a gear 16 on an elongated shafty 17 7one endof which is journaled at opposite sides of the fuselage in the frame 12. Theshaft 17 projects laterally from the fuselage a substantial distance in front ofthe center or gravity of the plane so that the weight of the rear portion of the plane tends to swing that portion downwardly about the .shaft 17 as a fulcrum. f

In the form of the invention shown inv Figs. 1 to 5 the shaft 17 serves to sustain part yof the Vweight of the plane and defines the path of movement thereof as well as to drive the propeller 14 from anv external source of power. To this enda long and relatively rigid shaft 17 is employed and the end thereof opposite the plane is rotatably supported bya platform 18 which is mounted intermediate its ends to pivot on a horizontal axis, thereby allowing for elevation of the plane and to rotate on a. vertical axis thereby defining a circular path which the plane will traverse. Herein the shaft 17 is journaled at one end of the platform 18 in a bracket arm 19 upstanding therefrom and its end is attached by a suitable coupling 20 to the shaft of a small electric motor 21 which constitutes the source of motive power in the present instance. The motor is secured to the platform at the end opposite the bracket 19 so that the weight of the motor acts about a horizontal pivot of the platform 18 and through the medium of the sh aft 17 to counter-balance the weight of the plane.

In the present instance the platform 18 is inthe form of a substantially flat plate and is received in the closed upper end of a yoke member 22 which has two spaced legs 23 depending therefrom and supported on horizontal pivots provided by screws 24. Thescrews are entered through one of a plurality of vertical spaced holes in the legs 23 and extend into a block 25 rotatable about a tubular spindle 26 (Fig. 3) upstanding from and supported by a base 27 which is adapted to rest on a flat surface. To relieve friction a ball bearing 28 is interposed between the block 25 and the base.

To vary the proportion of the Weight of the aeroplane which is counter-balanced by the weight of the motor 21` the platform 18 may be shifted longitudinally relative to the yoke 22 and clamped in the desired adjusted position by tightening a thumb nut 29 on a bolt 30 which projects through a longitudinal slot 31 in the platform and a hole in the yoke 22.

yElectric current is conducted to the motor from a source of power such as the secondary of a transformer interposed between eurkrentcarrying conductors 33 extending into the base27. Within a recess 34 in the base one of the conductors 33 is connected to the lower` end of the metallic spindle 26, the upper end of which has a wiping engagement with a Contact strip 35 leading;r to a binding post 36 on the block 25. The other conductor is connected to a rod 37 insulated from and extending through the spindle 26. A brush contact 38 bears on the upper end of the rod 37 and terminates in a binding post 39. The motor leads 40 are connected to the respective binding posts. As a means of varying the speed of the motor and therefore the tractiveeffort of the aeroplane, a suitable rheostat 41 is interposed in one of the conductors 33.

The blades of the sheet metal propeller 14 may be twisted in a manner such that a tractive force acting to draw the aeroplane forwardly will be createdupon rotation of the Y shaft 17 in the direction indicated by the arplane upwardly, but since the shaft 17 is journaled in front of the center of gravity of the aeroplane, the weight of the tail overcomes and substantially balances the tendency of the aeroplane to tilt in the rotation of the shaft 17. To stabilize this action and also cause the aeroplane to be maintained in horizontal position while fiying, an elevating rudder or vane 42 is pivoted to the tail portion of the fuselage and may be shifted into differ- -ent angular positions and maintained in such positions by means such as a swinging arm 43 secured to the fuselage and frictionally held in adjusted position. The rudder also serves to direct the aeroplane upwardly when the aeroplane is traveling along a supporting surface and the height to which the aeroplane rises under its lifting power may be determined by the angle to which the rudder 42 is set.

Instead of utilizing the drive shaft 17 to sustain part of the Weight of the aeroplane and to define the path of movement thereof, the shaft may be flexible in character as indicated by the numeral 44 in Fig. 6. In this modification the shaft 44 extends through a tubular supporting member 45, one end of which is supported in spaced lugs 46 on the platform 18, the other end having a shoulder which is clamped by a cap 47 against a bracket 48 on the side wall of the fuselage 8. One end of the flexible shaft is coupled to the motor shaft while the other end is connected to a stub shaft 49 carrying the gear 16 which drives the propeller 14. It will be under. stood that the tube supports the aeroplane in horizontal position so that the aeroplane is not free to tilt vertically as in the case of the construction shown in Figs. 1 to 5. lVith. such an arrangement the elevating rudder 42 f may be dispensed with or the mechanism for adjusting the rudder may be eliminated, the rudder being included in the aeroplane structure to give the aeroplane a realistic appearance.

To summarize the operation of the aeroplane in simulating the action of an aeroplane of commercial size, let it be assumed that the aeroplane and the base 27 are resting on a flat surface of sulicient size to enclose the circular path traversed by the aeroplane when travelling under its own power. Preferably the platform. 18 is adjusted relative to the bracket 22 so that the weight of the aeroplane and the shaft 17 slightly overcomes the weight of the motor 2l which. acting about the horizontal pivot of the platform 18, exerts a counterbalancing action thereby enabling the aeroplane to rise when a lifting action is induced by the propeller 14 which is somewhat less than the lifting action which would be required to overcome the entire weight of the aeroplane.

When the motor is started, rotation of the propeller creates a tractive effort which draws the aeroplane forvvardlythereby causing it to travel about a vertical axis and in a circle the radius of vvhichis determined bythe length ofthe shaft 17. fThe rudder 42 cooperating with the upwardly, inclined lWing 9 of the aeroplane acts t0 lift the rear end of the fuselage 8 from the yfloor' as the aeroplane .moves forwardly.l As soon,v as the proper speed has been attained the force of the air acting on Y thewing 9, the tail VWing 9agrand the elevating rudder will induce a ,lifting laction sufficient to overcome the unbalanced Weight of the areoplane, vf'hereupon the aeroplane Willrise from its supporting-surface to a level ,deterf` mined by ther settingof the rudder 42.7 Inasmuch as the major portionof the Weight of' the aeroplane is counterbalanced, only a com paratively low speed need be attained to cause the aeroplane to-risefrom its supporting surface. lThus in the rotationof the propeller the aeroplane flies ina circular path several inches above the supporting surface and is maintained in horizontal positionby the actiongofA the rudder l2 Combined with the unbalanced Weight of the tailof the aeroplane which counteracts the rotational torque exerted by the shaft 17 and tail upwardly. t y

By moving the arm of the rheostat 32, the speed of the motor maybe varied at Will to change the tractive efl'ort `and therefore the lifting actionv induced by the propeller.

VA decrease in the motor .speed will cause the aeroplane to travel at a lower levelvvhile the aeroplane Will rise to a higher level When the speed is increased. Thus by manipulating the rheostat the true action of a ,commercial aeroplane may lbev simulated while the aeroplane travels in, its predetermined path. By utilizing the elevating rudder l2 to vary the level at which the aeroplane Will y, the operation of the toy aeroplane is made exceedingly realistic. f

It Will be noted that the horizontal pivot `provided bythe screws 24 is spaced a substantial distance Vbelovv the platform 18 on Which the counterbalancing Weight,v that is the n1otor,.is mounted.l .Thus, as the plane risesipfrom the floor, the motor will move farther away fromthe pivotV 24. The increase inthe length of the'moment arm of the counterbalancingvWeight causes-the counterbalancingefl'ec-t to be augmented automatically in proportion` to the. height to which the plane rises. This enables the plane to y at Widely varying levels and overcomes the effect of centrifugal action which tends tomaintain the counterbalancing Weight and the plane at the same level.`

' l claim'as my invention:

' l. An aeroplane toy combining a base, a member supported by said basey forpivotal movement about a horizontal axis and for rotation about a vertical axis, a miniature aero plane, an velongated element mounted at one tending to lift the,

of its ends ,onsaid member, the `other end `of said element being yconnected to and projecting laterally from said aeroplane Where by to permit elevation of the aeroplane about said horizontal `axis and movement of the aeroplane around said vertical axis asa cen-- ter, andan. electric motor mounted ,on-said member and having a driving connection With a propeller on said aeroplane.

2..An Vaeroplane toy-combining a minia-y ture .aeroplane having a driving propeller., an electricV motor `disposed 'remotely :from said aeroplane :and arrangedto drive said propeller to. inducea lifting action Atending to elevate said aeroplane, and means connected to said aeroplane and operable to. deiine Va circular path" of movement therefor While permitting elevation of the aeroplane;

soL

3. An aeroplane vtoy combiuingaminiature aeroplane havinga driving propeller',

ture aeroplane arranged to'travelinia predetermined circulary path about a vertical axis, a propeller on said aeroplane rotatable to induce alifting action on said aeroplane, and an electric motor disposed' externally of said aeroplane andadjaoent said axis andA arranged to drive said propeller.V

5. An aeroplane toy combining a miniature aeroplane having aul shaft projectingr for` Wardly therefrom and carrying a propeller,

a second shaft having one end kprojecting into the body of said aeroplane from the side lthereof Aand geared to said yfirst mentioned shaft, a member rotatably supportingrythe opposite end of said second shaft, said member being mounted to swivel about horizontal andvertical axes to permit raising and lolvver-A ing` of the aeroplane and movement thereof in a circular path, and an electric driving motor for said second shaft mounted on said member on the side ofsaid horizontal axis opposite said aeroplane whereby the Weight ofthe motor will exert a counterbalancing actionon said aeroplaney 6. An aeroplane toy combining a base, a

platform supported by said baseto rotateV about a vertical 'axis and to pivot about a horizontal axis, an electric motor mounted on said platform on one sideof said horizontal axis, 'any elongated shaft having` one end rotatably supported on said platformV and coupled to said motor, a miniature aeroplane in which the other end of said shaft is journaled, the Weight of said aeroplane acting throu h the medium of said shaft serving to overba ance the weight of said motor, and means connecting said shaft to the propeller of said aeroplane.

7. An aeroplane toy combining a miniature aeroplane having a driving propeller, a member mounted to rotate about a vertical axis and adapted to swivel about a horizontal axis, means supported on said member and connected to said aeroplane to confine the movement of the aeroplane to a predetermined circular path, and an electric driving motor for said propeller mounted on said member on the side of said horizontal axis opposite said aeroplane whereby to counterbalance a portion of the weight of said aeroplane and thereby decrease the lifting action required toelevate the aeroplane under its own tractive effort.

8. An aeroplane toy combining a miniature aeroplane having a driving propeller, a member mounted. to rotate about a vertical axis and adapted to swivel about a horizontal axis, means supported on said member and connected to said aeroplane to confine the movement of the aeroplane to a predetermined circular path, an electric driving motor for said propeller mounted on said member on the side of said horizontal axis opposite said aeroplane whereby to counterbalance a portion of the weight of said aeroplane and thereby decrease the lifting action required to elevate the aeroplane under its own tractive effort,y and means for connecting said motor to a source of electric current including an adjustable rheostat for varying the speed of the motor and therefore the lifting action induced by the rotation of said propellet.

9. An aeroplane toy combining a miniature aeroplane having a power driven propeller, an electric motor located externally ofsaid aeroplane for driving said propeller, means operable to cause said aeroplane to traverse a fixed circular path under the tractive effort of said propeller, and means normally acting to counterbalance a portion of the weight `of said aeroplane.

10. An aeroplane toy combining a miniature aeroplane having a propeller, a member mounted for rotation about a vertical axis ,and for swiveling about a horizontal axis,

power driving means carried by said member, an elongated substantially rigid shaft 'having one end rotatably supported on said journaled in Ythe body of said ,aeroplane whereby toconstitute a horizontal fulcrum about which the aeroplane ma tilt vertically,'means connecting said sha t to said propeller, a member rotatably supporting said shaft to permit said aeroplane to traverse a fixed circular path while resting on or flying about a supporting surface, driving means for said shaft disposed externally of said aeroplane, and an adjustable rudder on said aeroplane to stabilize the action resulting from the rotation of said shaft.

12. An aeroplane toy combining a miniature aeroplane having a. propeller, an elongated shaft projecting laterally from and journaled in the body of said aeroplane whereby to constitute a horizontal fulcrum about which the aeroplane may tilt vertically, said fulcrum being located in front of the center of gravity of said aeroplane whereby the weight of the tail lof the aeroplane acts in a downward direction to overcome the tendency of the rotating shaft to tilt the tail upwardly, means coupling said shaft to said propeller, means rotatably supporting the portion of said shaft located remotely from said aeroplane for movement about a vertical axis, and driving means for said shaft disposedy adjacent said vertical axis.

13. An aeroplane toy combining a miniature aeroplane having a propeller, an elongated member projecting laterally from the side of said aeroplane and mounted to permit movement of the aeroplane around a vertical axis, means acting through the medium of said member to counterbalance a portion of the weight of said aeroplane including power operated means located externally of the aeroplane for driving said propeller to induce a lifting action on the wingsV of the aeroplane sufficient to overcome the unbalanced weight thereof and thereby cause the aeroplane to rise while rotating around said axis, and a movable vane on said aeroplane adjustable to different angular positions to determine the height to which the aeroplane will rise.

14. An aeroplane toy combining a base, a member supported by said base for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis and for rotation about a vertical axis, a miniature aeroplane, an elongated element mounted at one of its ends on said member, the other end of said element being connected to and projecting laterally from said aeroplane whereby to permit elevation of the aeroplane about said horizontal axis and movement of the aeroplane around said vertical axis as a center, a power driven propeller on said aeroplane for producing a tractive action for moving said aeroplane about said vertical axis and a lifting action tending to elevate said aeroplane about said horizontal axis, means exerting a counterbalancing action onV said aeroplane and` mounted on said member above said horizontal axis, so that the moment arm through Whih said counterbalancing means acts Will increase automatically as said aeroplane rises in its Hight.

In testimony WhereoiI I have hereunto afxed my signature.

- JOHN ESLINGER. 

